Chapter 587 Too Late
No wonder the whole party tonight—filled with the nation’s top business leaders—seemed to revolve around Jude. His mood alone set the tone, and nobody dared cross him. Everyone only wanted to get on his good side.
Jude stopped in front of Wade. “What are you doing here?”
The words dripped with contempt.
Since Tilda cut ties with the Jensons, Jude’s loyalties followed hers—whoever she hated, he hated.
The only reason Jude hadn’t crushed the Jenson family already was that Tilda wanted to play this game her own way.
“Mr. Bell,” Wade asked carefully, “was that Tilda you were just with? What exactly is your relationship with her?”
“You don’t need to know my relationship with Tilda. Wade, do you still think you’re her brother?”
Jude’s cold voice cut through the air.
“You… you and Tilda… is it really like that?”
His words struck Wade like lightning.
He had once seen Jude and Tilda together when he went out with Kyla, but he never imagined things would actually develop the way Russell had feared.
“I don’t owe you any explanation.”
Jude turned to leave.
But Wade clenched his jaw, summoning courage from nowhere, and stepped in his way.
“Mr. Bell, I’m sorry, but you could never make Tilda happy. I won’t let my sister be played with. A family like the Bells would never accept her.”
Tilda’s strong, stubborn personality would only bring her danger in that household. Maybe even worse.
Jude’s eyes narrowed. “I’ll protect my woman. I’m the head of my family now. If I want to marry someone, I don’t need anyone’s approval or permission.
“And another thing—Tilda herself said she has no connection to the Jensons anymore. Wade, stop shamelessly calling yourself her brother.”
Wade knew he didn’t have the standing to argue.
But his fists clenched tight, and his blood boiled with the duty of an older brother.
He raised his eyes and met Jude’s cold, hunting gaze without flinching.
“Even if Tilda doesn’t forgive us, we’ve already failed her too many times. We can’t afford to fail her again…”
Bam!
Before Wade could finish, Jude’s fist smashed into his face.
The blow sent him crashing to the ground.
A tooth flew out, and blood filled his mouth.
It was too sudden, too powerful.
Half his face went numb.
Jude lowered his gaze, his icy stare piercing Wade.
“If it weren’t for Tilda, those words you just said would’ve already gotten you killed.
“I don’t even see trash like you as worth noticing. I don’t need garbage like you telling me how to live.”
His voice was flat, without warmth or emotion.
He spoke as if he were describing something as ordinary as the sun rising and setting.
That was how little Jude thought of him.
With a single thought, Jude could crush the Jensons and erase their company from existence.
Wade didn’t doubt it for a second.
This short exchange alone made Wade’s heart surrender. He didn’t dare move.
Jude straightened his suit jacket, then stepped hard on Wade’s hand.
Ignoring Wade’s cry of pain, Jude walked away, leaving him sprawled on the floor.
It took Wade a long time to gather enough strength to stand.
His body trembled, but worse was the fear that now lived deep in his soul—fear of Jude.
By the time the party ended, Russell was waiting in the car, checking his watch, brows drawn tight.
Why isn’t Wade back yet?
When he texted earlier, Wade had replied that he was busy but would be down soon.
Now it was already past 11.
The car door finally opened, and Wade slipped in.
“Wade, where were you? Why are you so late?
“Wait… Your face…”
Russell’s sharp eyes immediately caught the bruises.
“Wade, what happened to your face? Who did this to you?”
“It’s nothing, Dad. Upstairs was dark, and I was feeling a little down. I just went out for air and… tripped.”
“Impossible! A fall doesn’t make your face look like this. Wade, even now you’re hiding from me? This is clearly from a fight!”
Russell’s voice was firm, certain.
But Wade, remembering Jude’s cold and ruthless expression, didn’t dare tell the truth. If Russell found out Jude was involved—especially that it had to do with Tilda—he might go after Jude himself.